Regional

9:33 am

Tue November 20, 2012

Hatch Lawmaker Apologizes For Vulgar Gesture

A newly elected state lawmaker in New Mexico is facing heat after a newly posted YouTube video showed him giving an opponent's campaign worker a vulgar gesture on Election Day. State Rep.-elect Phillip Archuleta apologized Monday following news about the online video where he is recorded flipping his middle finger at the campaign worker.

In the video, the 63-year-old Democrat, who won the District 36 House seat by defeating the incumbent, Hatch resident Andy Nunez, also is heard threatening a photographer while at a polling station.

Archuleta said he regretted his actions and should have been more professional.

The video was posted to YouTube by the New Mexico Business Coalition and is linked to the conservative Americans for Prosperity organization.